A hotel operator who survived a shooting over an alleged dispute about delayed food service died in an ambulance accident while being rushed for advanced treatment, in a shocking chain of events in Rajasthan's Nagaur district.

The incident began at Neelkanth Hotel in Kharnal village, where a group of men had reportedly arrived for a meal. According to police, an argument broke out after the food was allegedly not served on time. What started as a disagreement soon turned violent.

Police said one of the men allegedly pulled out a pistol and shot 40-year-old Ramkumar alias Ramdas, a native of Bihar, in the chest, leaving him critically injured.

Locals immediately rushed him to JLN Hospital in Nagaur. Due to the severity of his injuries, doctors referred him to Jodhpur for further treatment.

But before he could reach the hospital, tragedy struck again.

According to SHO Kitab Devi, the ambulance carrying Ramkumar lost control near Khinvsar and overturned into a roadside ditch.

A police team from Khinvsar police station reached the spot after receiving information and shifted the injured to a government hospital. Doctors there declared Ramkumar dead.

Police have kept the body in the mortuary for further legal formalities.

Meanwhile, a forensic team examined the shooting spot at Kharnal village and collected evidence. Police said efforts are underway to identify and trace the accused involved in the firing.

With PTI inputs